Race and culture are key topics being discussed throughout the
week at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Business leaders
are talking about how blacks experience their work setting
differently from others.
Statistics show that white men and women dominate the world of
business, meaning that black businessmen can at times find the
corporate workplace less inviting. But this week at Anderson, black
executives will be sharing vital skills they have learned about
being successful in such an atmosphere.
The UCLA African American Leadership Institute consists of a
series of workshops that are being held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every
day this week. Managers and executives are addressing key issues
affecting them in their careers.
“The program is primarily for African American executives
so they can be more effective in the corporate workplace,”
said Professor David Porter, the program’s faculty
director.
The black community has a unique culture, and it is important to
take this into account when thinking about how black leaders are
perceived, Porter explained.
“As a black man, I am not able to play the role of a white
man,” he said.
Porter has assembled a prestigious group of faculty members who
have extensive backgrounds in different fields of business and are
able to tackle the important issues associated with climbing the
corporate ladder.
According to a brochure published by the Office of Executive
Education Programs, “The isolation and frustration many
African American managers experience in their careers have
tremendous implications for their long-range success and for those
that follow them.” This office heads the African American
Leadership Institute and many others.
With its wide array of workshops and sessions, the institute
even discusses attitudes about affirmative action that can be found
in corporate offices ““ a topic that proves to be helpful to
the attendees, organizers say.
“You cannot compare this program to anything you have ever
experienced in a corporate setting. The speakers and workshops
address issues, both traditional and non-traditional, to improve
your leadership skills and effectiveness as an African American
manager,” said Allwyn L. Baskin, former marketing manager of
AT&T, in a testimonial given to the Office of Executive
Education Programs.
Porter has created a curriculum design that uses more of an
academic setting to address the core issues affecting business
leaders.
The leaders are given a practical look at ways in which they can
increase the effectiveness of their management.
“We talk about how we effectively use power, mentor and
sponsor response, deal with trust, and balance between work and
family,” Porter said.
Some past participants say the program has been helpful since it
provides skills and information that are hard to come by.
“This is a “˜must experience’ for every African
American who wants to make a difference in their professional
careers. We can’t get this kind of instruction anywhere
else,” said Kathy Howard, manager of diversity recruiting at
Abbott Laboratories in a testimonial given to the Office of
Executive Education Programs.
The African American Leadership Institute is a part of the UCLA
Anderson School of Management Leadership Suite which also includes
the Latino Leadership Institute; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Leadership Institute and Women’s Leadership
Institute.